In many countries, unusual names for children are becoming more popular, especially when more and more stars give their children special names. In Britain, you can call a child almost anything you like except dirty words.
Some parents choose names which come from popular culture. Because of the film the Lord of the Rings(指环王), six boys were named Gandalf. Names about sport are very common, too. Since 1984, 36 children have been called Arsenal after the football team.
Other parents like to make up names, or combine(合并) two names to make a special one. A mother in Britain invented the name Tiaamii for her daughter. She combined the names Thea and Amy (the two grandmothers).
In China, there are some rules about names ―- you can't use foreign letters or symbols(符号) in a Chinese name. For example, parents are not allowed to name their baby @. In New Zealand, a name beginning with a number is not allowed. Other countries have stricter rules about calling children. For example, Japan, Denmark, Spain, Germany and Argentina have a list of names. Parents must choose the names in the lists for their children.
In Britain, some old-fashioned(过时的) names have become popular again, such as Maisie or Ella for a girl, and Alfie or Noah for a boy. But the most popular names are not the strange ones. The top names are very traditional--Jack and Thomas for boys, or Grace and Jessica f6r girls.

    Teachers at American colleges and universities have many different teaching methods. Some teachers give homework and check homework every day, and students in their classes have to take many exams. Some teachers give only writing tasks. Some teachers always follow a course outline and usually use the textbook. Others send students to the library for tasks.

    The atmosphere(气氛) in some classrooms is very formal. Students call their teachers Professor (教授) Smith, Mrs. Jones and so on. Some teachers wear business clothes and give talks. Other classrooms have an informal (非正式的) atmosphere. Students and teachers discuss their ideas. Teachers dress informally, and students call them by their first names. American teachers are different in their teaching styles.

    At most American colleges and universities, libraries and learning centers can be used by students at any time. They can often use tape recorders, video machines and computers. They can buy books, notebooks and other things at campus stores. There are also services (服务) to students. They can get advice on their problems from their teachers. Colleges and universities usually offer facilities (设施) to students. Some schools have swimming pools and tennis courts. Most have fast food restaurants.

    In Europe, small cars have always been more popular than large cars. In the United States, large cars and midsize cars are more popular than smaller cars. As a result, European automakers used to make different kinds of small cars while American automakers used to build bigger, heavier cars. However, these days, automakers in both America and Europe produce cars of different sizes. This is because most automakers export their cars all over the world.

    The price of gasoline (汽油)is one reason for differences in car choices. Since gasoline is more expensive in Europe, many Europeans want smaller, lighter cars that will travel a long way on a gallon（加仑）of gasoline.

    Other reasons also enter into the big or little car decision. Many European cities have narrow, winding（弯曲的） streets. In these cities a small car is easier to control than a large one.

    For a long time, few Americans bought small cars. Instead they chose large cars, because these roomy cars were more comfortable for large families and long trips. Some people also liked the powerful engines（发动机） that large cars had. Since gasoline was cheap, drivers did not mind that the large cars used a lot of gasoline.

    But in the 1970s, there were gasoline shortages in the United States. The price of gasoline went up. Though large cars were still more popular than smaller cars, sales of small cars increased. Some people also bought small cars because these cars caused less air pollution than larger cars.

    Today, Americans' car preferences are still changing. Though Americans are still buying many small cars, the fastest growing sales are for certain kinds of large cars. These types of cars are called minivans and sport utility vehicles(SUV). They are very popular today. But of course, that could change tomorrow.

    You can always see some park workers dressed as movie or cartoon characters(角色) in some theme parks(主题公园）like Disneyland. We call them costumed characters. What is it like to be a costumed character at a theme park?

    Dave Jackson has this interesting job. He works as a costumed character in Disneyland. There are always so many visitors in this park. Every day Dave puts on a Mickey Mouse suit and plays with the visitors to make them happy. Many visitors, especially the young children, take photos with him.

    Some people may think his job is quite easy. But in fact, it's sometimes a little difficult. First of all, the costumes are very heavy. And it's difficult to go to the washing room with a heavy costume. Second, the space he works is very small, so he usually gets tired after standing there for a long time. What's more, the most difficult part is working in hot weather! He always sweats a lot, and the sweat can run into his eyes.

    "My job is not easy, but it is also great fun." says Dave. "Looking back, I must be in quite a lot of people's family photos. It is really cool.